How Much Does It Cost To Register A Business In Australia?

If you’re ready to kick off a new venture, one of the first practical questions is: how much does it actually cost to register a business in Australia?

The good news is many core registrations are low-cost (and some are free). The total will depend on your business structure, whether you register a business name, and if you set up a company.

In this guide, we’ll break down the typical fees for sole traders, partnerships and companies, plus the add-ons most founders budget for - like a business name, domain and trade mark - so you can plan with confidence.

Quick Answer: Typical Registration Costs In Australia

Here’s a high-level snapshot of common registration costs (all amounts are in AUD and government fees are typically indexed on 1 July each year):

• Australian Business Number (ABN): Free.
• Tax File Number (TFN): Free.
• Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration: Free (required if your turnover is $75,000+).
• Business name registration (if trading under a name that’s not your own): Around $42 for 1 year or $98 for 3 years (ASIC).
• Reserve a company name (optional): Around $59 (ASIC) if you want to hold a name before registering a company.
• Company registration (Pty Ltd): Around the mid-$500s (ASIC fee - indexed annually).
• Annual ASIC review fee for companies: Low-to-mid $300s per year for a proprietary company (ASIC fee - indexed annually).

On top of these, factor in optional but common costs like a domain name, trade mark filings, and any licences or permits specific to your industry or location.

What Costs Apply To Each Business Structure?

Your structure is the biggest driver of cost at registration. The right choice also affects tax, control and liability, so it’s worth getting this right from the start.

Sole Trader

As a sole trader, you operate the business as an individual.

• ABN: Free.
• TFN: Free (you’ll use your individual TFN).
• Business name (optional): Around $42 for 1 year or $98 for 3 years if you don’t trade under your personal name.

This is the cheapest way to start, but it doesn’t separate your personal assets from business liabilities.

Partnership

A partnership is two or more people operating a business together.

• ABN: Free (issued to the partnership).
• TFN: Free (separate TFN for the partnership).
• Business name (if needed): Around $42 for 1 year or $98 for 3 years.

There’s no ASIC registration fee for the partnership itself. However, consider a written partnership agreement - the drafting cost is an investment that can prevent disputes later.

Company (Proprietary Limited)

A company is a separate legal entity (typically a Pty Ltd), which offers limited liability and is often preferred for growth.

• Choose a company name: Free to search; optional ASIC name reservation around $59 if you want to hold it.
• Company registration fee: Around the mid-$500s (ASIC; indexed annually).
• ABN and TFN: Free (usually applied for during company registration setup).
• Business name: Only required if trading under a name different to the company’s registered name (around $42/$98).

Companies also have ongoing annual costs (e.g. ASIC annual review fee). Many founders also adopt a company set up with appropriate governance documents from the start to avoid rework later.

Trust (With Corporate Trustee)

Some businesses use a trust for operational or tax reasons, with a company acting as trustee. In this case, you’ll usually have:

• Company registration fee: Around the mid-$500s (for the corporate trustee).
• Trust setup costs: Deed preparation and any state duties (varies).

Trusts involve additional legal and accounting complexity, so speak with your professional advisors before choosing this route.

What About Names, Domains And Trade Marks?

Your brand is often the first thing customers see. The costs here can be modest, but they’re strategic - especially if you want to protect and build value in your brand.

Business Name vs Company Name

If you register a company, you secure a company name with ASIC. That’s different to a “business name”, which is required when an individual, partnership or company trades under a name that isn’t their legal name.

Registering a business name costs around $42 for 1 year or $98 for 3 years. You can handle this as part of your wider business name registration process.

It’s common to ask whether a business name gives legal ownership of the brand. It doesn’t. For brand protection, consider registering a trade mark. If you’re deciding between a business name and a company name for branding, this overview of business name vs company name is a helpful reference.

Domain Names

Expect to pay roughly $10-$40 per year for a basic .com.au domain, depending on your provider and term. This isn’t a legal registration, but it’s a practical step that supports your branding and online presence.

Trade Marks

Trade marks protect brand elements like your name and logo in specific classes of goods/services. Government filing fees vary based on the application path and number of classes, but many startups budget a few hundred dollars per class for the application fee, plus professional support if needed.

If brand protection is important (it usually is), it’s worth planning for a trade mark early. You can start the process to register your trade mark once you’ve settled on your brand and checked availability.

Free Government Registrations (And What They Don’t Cover)

It’s helpful to separate truly free government registrations from the paid ones:

• ABN: Free.
• TFN: Free.
• GST registration: Free (required if turnover is $75,000+; optional below that threshold).
• PAYG withholding registration: Free (if you will have employees).

These free registrations don’t include a business name, a company setup, or any industry licences. They also don’t provide brand protection - that’s where trade marks come in. So while starting as a sole trader can be almost cost-free at registration, you’ll still want to budget for your trading name and basic legal documents.

Hidden And Ongoing Costs To Budget For

Beyond initial registration, there are ongoing or one-off costs that most businesses encounter. Planning for these now avoids surprises later.

Annual ASIC Review (Companies)

Every company pays an annual ASIC review fee (for a proprietary company, it’s typically in the low-to-mid $300s and indexed annually). You’ll also need to keep your corporate records up to date - having a solid Company Constitution and clear governance processes helps here.

Licences And Permits

Depending on your industry and location, you may need council approvals, state-based licences, or professional registrations. Fees vary widely. For example, a food business needs health permits, while a childcare service has different accreditation requirements.

Contracts And Policies

While not strictly “registration” costs, most businesses invest in core legal documents early. This is part of setting up the business properly and often costs less than dealing with disputes later. Common examples include:

• Website Terms and Conditions or client terms if you sell online or provide services.
• Privacy Policy if you collect personal information (which most websites do).
• Founders documents (e.g. a Shareholders Agreement if you have multiple founders in a company).

If you’re taking on staff, budget for the right Employment Contract and basic workplace policies. These documents help manage risk and set expectations clearly from day one.

Step-By-Step: Your Registration Cost Checklist

Use this practical run sheet to estimate your total setup and early-stage costs. Tick off what applies to you and note the current fee at the time you apply.

1) Choose Your Structure

• Sole trader: Typically $0 to register (ABN/TFN are free), plus a business name if needed.
• Partnership: Typically $0 to register (ABN/TFN are free), plus a business name if needed.
• Company (Pty Ltd): ASIC registration fee (around the mid-$500s), optional name reservation fee (~$59), and ongoing annual review fee (low-to-mid $300s).

Tip: If you’re aiming for growth, investors, or limited liability protection, a company structure is a common choice. If you’re still weighing options, consider discussing your plans with an accountant and a lawyer before you commit.

2) Secure Your Name

• Business name: Around $42 (1 year) or $98 (3 years) via ASIC.
• Company name: Included in company registration (reservation optional at ~$59).
• Domain name: Around $10-$40 per year (provider dependent).

Make sure your chosen name is available across ASIC, domain registrars and trade marks. It’s frustrating to rebrand later.

3) Register For Tax

• ABN: Free.
• TFN: Free.
• GST: Free (required at $75,000+ turnover; optional below this).
• PAYG withholding: Free (if you’ll have employees or pay yourself as a director in a company).

4) Protect Your Brand (Optional But Recommended)

• Trade mark application: Government filing fees vary by class; budget a few hundred dollars per class, plus any professional support.

If brand protection matters to you, start the process to register your trade mark once your name and logo are finalised.

5) Put Your Essential Documents In Place

• Client or Website Terms: Budget for tailored Website Terms and Conditions if you sell online.
• Privacy Policy: Required when collecting personal information online; see Privacy Policy.
• Founders and governance: If relevant, set up your company set up properly with the right governance documents (such as a constitution and shareholders’ arrangements).
• Employment: If hiring, factor in compliant Employment Contract templates and basic policies.

6) Licences, Permits And Insurance

• Industry licences and permits: Fees vary by industry/state (budget according to your sector).
• Insurance: Not a registration, but often required by contracts or landlords. Speak with a broker about appropriate cover.

7) Ongoing Costs

• ASIC annual review fee (companies): Low-to-mid $300s (indexed annually).
• Business name renewal: Around $42 (yearly) or $98 (every 3 years).
• Trade mark renewals: Periodic (e.g. every 10 years) with government fees.
• Accounting/bookkeeping: Software subscriptions and professional support as needed.

When Should You Get Legal Help?

If you’re setting up a straightforward sole trader under your own name, your initial spend may be minimal. As soon as you introduce partners, co-founders, staff, investors, a new brand, or a company structure, the stakes (and complexity) rise.

That’s usually the time to get advice - to choose the right structure, secure your brand, and put strong documents in place from day one. For example, many founders adopt a formal constitution when they register a company, rather than relying only on replaceable rules, because it gives clarity about decision-making and share rights. If you’re weighing up naming options, this note on business name vs company name is a great starting point while you consider trade marks and domains together.

A modest investment up front often saves time and costs later, and helps you avoid rework as the business grows.

Key Takeaways

• ABN, TFN and GST registration are free; the main upfront costs are your business name (around $42/$98) and, if you choose a company, the ASIC company registration fee (around the mid-$500s).
• Companies also have an annual ASIC review fee (typically in the low-to-mid $300s) - budget for this ongoing cost.
• Registering a business name doesn’t give brand ownership; consider a trade mark to protect your name or logo.
• Most startups also budget for essentials like a Privacy Policy and Website Terms, plus founder and employment documents as the team grows.
• Licences and permits vary by industry and state; check what applies to you and factor the fees into your plan.
• Choosing the right structure and setting up your documents correctly from day one reduces risk and future rework.

If you’d like a consultation on registering your business in Australia, you can reach us at 1800 730 617 or team@sprintlaw.com.au for a free, no-obligations chat.